LUK SMFW disc issues...

[towcat]

I prolly have at least 6 customers with IDI's and the LUK kit installed. I've seen enough issues with the kits over the years where I am still running DMF systems. Here's my latest finding. A little background first.
The truck is a 1990 F450 flatbed car carrier. It's tare is 11k, max legal is 15k but frequently sees 14-17k and infrequently sees 19-21k gross. 7.3 natural, 5.13 ration Dana 80 rear. It got a rebuilt ZF5 two years ago and the clutch disc was replaced then. The ZF5 required replacement of the input shaft and countershaft due to excessive wear on the gear teeth. The teeth was worn to "knife sharp" points. My suspicion of the cause is the SMF changeover. Two years later, the driver was reporting a "screeching" sound when the clutch was engaged. I assumed that it must be the TOB was getting dry. This is what I found. See pics below.......

 

[subway]

ouch, i hope my Luk holds up better than that. any reports of south bend or other brands?

 

[gonecrazyi]

I've had mine for over 5 years years without problems and tow regularly around 15-19k total weight. That sure is interesting to say the least.

 

[south bend clutch]

For that reason right there is why we automatically put a 13" clutch on ours. The 12 1/4" have a tendency to come apart like that.

\Peter

 

[subway]

Peter, thanks for that info, its always good to hear from someone on the "inside" about their product and get some feedback!

 

[ironworker40]

I prolly have at least 6 customers with IDI's and the LUK kit installed. I've seen enough issues with the kits over the years where I am still running DMF systems. Here's my latest finding. A little background first.
The truck is a 1990 F450 flatbed car carrier. It's tare is 11k, max legal is 15k but frequently sees 14-17k and infrequently sees 19-21k gross. 7.3 natural, 5.13 ration Dana 80 rear. It got a rebuilt ZF5 two years ago and the clutch disc was replaced then. The ZF5 required replacement of the input shaft and countershaft due to excessive wear on the gear teeth. The teeth was worn to "knife sharp" points. My suspicion of the cause is the SMF changeover. Two years later, the driver was reporting a "screeching" sound when the clutch was engaged. I assumed that it must be the TOB was getting dry. This is what I found. See pics below.......

This is an old thread but tow cat are you still running dmf flywheels? If so were are you getting them from?

 

[towcat]

This is an old thread but tow cat are you still running dmf flywheels? If so were are you getting them from?

i've been collecting IDI DMF's for years. every person here who changes out theirs and posts about it, gets a PM from me offering to buy what's left of one.

 

[ironworker40]

Mine has 14200 miles on it. If I let out the clutch in 1 st without give it some fuel (i got 4.10 gears) it will chirp. Sounds like the ceramic clutch I had in my 1997 Internaltional 4700 T444e with a 7 speed. Also when it shuts down it rattles and sometimes chirps. Im thinking flywheel may be going. I could not find anything in the ford manual about diagnosing them. Anyway to check them before pulling the trans?

 

[towcat]

get under the truck and check the lock to lock freeplay. min is 1/2" when it exceeds 5/8" you have issues. also, it's a good time to see if the DMF is getting ready to give birth to it's dampening springs.

 

[ironworker40]

Can't get the cover off without dropping exhaust crossover pipe. Turbos really make a simple engine to work on difficult to work on. I did manage to drop it like a half inch, enough to move flywheel with a 1/4 drive extension. No way to measure but I would say its 5/8" or better. I may take the 4 in grinder and cut the inspection cover in 2 pieces then weld a couple of tabs on it and tec screw it together

 

[jas88]

How is such a clutch disc failure caused by it being SMF vs DMF? I am not getting that part.